[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 153 (Monday, August 10, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47984-47985]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-19584]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 9217]


30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Electronic 
Choice of Address and Agent

ACTION: Notice of request for public comment and submission to OMB of 
proposed collection of information.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State has submitted the information 
collection described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
for approval. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 we 
are requesting comments on this collection from all interested 
individuals and organizations. The purpose of this Notice is to allow 
30 days for public comment.

DATES: Submit comments directly to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) up to September 9, 2015.

ADDRESSES:  Direct comments to the Department of State Desk Officer in 
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB). You may submit comments by the following 
methods:
     Email: [email protected]. You must include the 
DS form number, information collection title, and the OMB control 
number in the subject line of your message.
    Fax: 202-395-5806. Attention: Desk Officer for Department of State.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct requests for additional 
information regarding the collection listed in this notice, including 
requests for copies of the proposed collection instrument and 
supporting documents, to George Weber, who may be reached on 202-485-
7637 or at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
     Title of Information Collection: Electronic Choice of 
Address and Agent.
     OMB Control Number: 1405-0186.
     Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved 
Collection.
     Originating Office: CA/VO/LR.
     Form Number: DS-261.
     Respondents: Immigrant Visa Applicants.
     Estimated Number of Respondents: 250,000.
     Estimated Number of Responses: 250,000.
     Average Time Per Response: 10 minutes.
     Total Estimated Burden Time: 25,000 hours.
     Frequency: Once Per Respondent.
     Obligation to Respond: Required to Obtain a Benefit.
    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:
     Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department.
     Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost 
burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used.
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected.
     Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.
    Please note that comments submitted in response to this Notice are 
public record. Before including any detailed personal information, you 
should be aware that your comments as submitted, including your 
personal information, will be available for public review.

Abstract of Proposed Collection

    The DS-261 allows the beneficiary of an approved immigrant visa 
petition to provide the Department with his or her current address, 
which will be used for communications with the beneficiary. The DS-261 
also allows the beneficiary

[[Page 47985]]

to appoint an agent to receive communications relevant communications 
relevant to the beneficiary's visa application from the National Visa 
Center (NVC) and assist in the filing of various application forms and/
or paying the required fees. The beneficiary is not required to use an 
agent. The NVC can contact them directly. If the beneficiary chooses to 
serve as their own agent and have the NVC contact them directly, they 
will need to provide the NVC with their current contact information. 
All cases will be held at NVC until the DS-261 is electronically 
submitted to the Department.

Methodology

    Applicants will submit the DS-261 electronically to the Department 
via the Internet.

    Dated: July 9, 2015.
Edward J. Ramotowski,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of 
State.
[FR Doc. 2015-19584 Filed 8-7-15; 8:45 a.m.]
 BILLING CODE 4710-06-P